SDSU staff changes

New linebackers coach: Zach Arnett, a graduate assistant. Head coach Rocky Long will assist. Long also is the defensive coordinator.

Last year's special teams coach: Duties were shared by McGarry and LeCharls McDaniel, the receivers coach.

The San Diego State football team probably would have finished with a 10-3 record last season if not for a series of breakdowns in the kicking game.

The Aztecs (8-5) instead lost two games because of them, including 32-30 defeat in the New Orleans Bowl.

So what can they do about it now?

"Increase the emphasis on special teams," head coach Rocky Long said.

It starts with his staff.

Long has appointed a full-time special teams coach – Kevin McGarry, who previously served as the team’s linebackers coach.

In McGarry’s place, Long and graduate assistant coach Zach Arnett will coach the linebackers. Arnett previously played linebacker for Long at New Mexico from 2005-08.

“If you’re good enough to win six or seven games, you’re going to win nine or 10 if you’re really good on special teams,” Long said. “I’m just trying to increase the emphasis on special teams to see if we can get some more out of them.”

Last year, two assistant coaches shared special-teams duties while also coaching position areas. This year, Long wants the kicking game to get undivided attention, especially at the kicker, punter and long snapper positions.

Additionally, the Aztecs hope to improve special-team units that failed to produce much last year. They ranked 111th nationally out of 120 teams in kick return defense. They also ranked 100th in punt returns.

To make them better, McGarry might add several offensive players to his units. Normally, the special teams units are stacked with players from the defense.

“I think we’d like to expand who plays in the kicking game,” said McGarry, who was head coach at USD from 1996 to 2003. “Last year, it was too heavily dominated by defensive players, so we’d like to turn to the offensive side of the ball and get some more help in the kicking game. There are enough talented kids over there to find some guys who can make some contributions even if they’re not starters.”

Long turned to McGarry in large part because he is a former head coach with experience managing all facets of a team. Last year, McGarry and receivers coach LeCharls McDaniel shared special-teams coaching duties. This year, McDaniel has his hands full with a stacked set of receivers, including several young players.

Long also wanted to make sure McMorrow and Overbaugh get the specialized coaching they need as newcomers.

“I think if they get individual attention and somebody who is working with them every day, they’ll be better,” Long said.

The idea is make the kicking game an asset, not the liability it was at times last year. Last year, SDSU kicker Abel Perez missed two field goals and an extra point in a 30-27 loss against Wyoming. The Aztecs also lost the New Orleans Bowl after Louisiana-Lafayette returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter, Perez missed a 36-yard field goal.

"We need to get better on special teams," Long said.

SDSU opens the 2012 season Sept. 1 against Washington in Seattle.

Roster update: Redshirt freshman receiver Paul Pitts probably won’t be healthy enough to return until at least midway through the 2012 season. He is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the first spring practice in February. All other players who were held out of spring practice with injuries are expected to be cleared by July 1, Long said… New offensive line coach Mike Schmidt has a starting salary of $75,000 this year but will earn $100,000 next year if he gets a good evaluation after the season. Last year’s offensive line coach, Dan Finn, earned $150,000 at SDSU before leaving for a similar job at Utah... Defensive end Dontrell Onuoha is expected to come off his team suspension by the start of preseason camp in August. He pleaded guilty earlier this month to a misdemeanor assault charge. It stemmed from a beating last fall near campus.